PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is aggravated by his service-connected physical disabilities. His OSA is also aggravated by his acquired psychiatric condition. The highest schedular rating of 50% for headaches has been granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities due to insufficient evidence and procedural issues.

The Veteran's PTSD is being remanded for a new examination to determine the current severity of his condition, and his TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is at least as likely as not related to military service in Vietnam. Therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's TBI is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.,Service connection was denied for vasomotor rhinitis, as there is no evidence linking it to service or a service-connected condition.

Service connection for hepatitis C is dismissed.,Service connection for PTSD is denied.,Service connection for other specified depressive disorder with anxiety is granted.

The Veteran is unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected PTSD, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective from January 20, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied in June 2013, and he did not file a timely notice of disagreement. The case was reopened on October 31, 2014, but the Board found that no earlier effective date could be granted due to procedural issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development and medical opinions regarding the nature, etiology, and relationship of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders to her service and other conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and for TDIU due to the need for additional VA and private treatment records, as well as further examination of his PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain a new VA examination and assess the current severity of his PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD and credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor, leading to a grant of service connection.

The Veteran's case of a higher rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the submission of additional VA treatment records related to his condition.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD and MDD with GAD was denied as there is no probative evidence within the relevant temporal period, including one year prior to her June 20, 2014 claim, of an earlier claim or a factually ascertainable increase in severity of her service-connected psychiatric disabilities.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for DEA benefits was denied as there is no evidence showing the Veteran had a permanent and total disability rating due to service-connected disabilities prior to June 20, 2014.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to new evidence added to the record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues are whether he has an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and substance abuse that is secondary to his psychiatric disorder.

The Board has denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper right and left extremities, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), finding that there is no current diagnosis of these conditions. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD, major depressive disorder, and alcohol use disorder have been rated at 70 percent. The appeal for higher ratings is denied. The appeals for service connection of hypertension, sleep apnea, and headaches are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD was dismissed due to his death. The appellant's claims for accrued benefits and nonservice-connected survivor pension were also dismissed as she did not file within the required time frame.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a possible mental health opinion. The case will be reconsidered after these steps.